Thursday, December 31, 2009

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Invictus!!!


What an awesome movie!


Here's the poem ~


Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.



In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.



Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.



It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.


- William Ernest Henley

Friday, December 25, 2009

The beautiful Christmas tree given to us by a beautiful person!

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Frosty Fern

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Toys for even the littlest of creatures!

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Our Christmas elf!

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Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve 2009 Wine. Good on ya Austria!

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Christmas Lilies!

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sunday, December 20, 2009

I will remember 2009 for many things...this being one of the oddest. NO....it did NOT taste - in any way, shape or form - like chicken liver pate.

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Repost....Directions


I was telling my husband the other day that with my recent posts (Old Town pics and our wine choices) that my blog looked like a "Wino Tour of Old Town" rather than a blog about mission work.


But, I don't find this inconsistent. After my last trip to Tanzania and before this last trip to South Africa, my prayer partner had put a challenge in my heart. She (not sure how intentional it was) had begun challenging me to think about working for God in other ways than just "in the field". Is a job at an NGO not still "mission" work she asked. Or rather, that is how I interpreted one of her questions. And, it was a good question.


During this last trip to South Africa, on the weekend when all the missionaries were to go to stay with host families, I found myself in South Africa drinking Pinotage and shopping at the mall. My host priest had become ill. While going up the escalator at the mall, I caught myself trying to figure out what God had in store for me. Shopping and drinking wine? Hmmmmmm.....


Well, I am open to finding out. So for now, probably more pictures of wine and Old Town than of African AIDS orphans. But, that is fine. My life is complex and that is, in my opinion, part of the journey.


Merry Christmas!

Sun!

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Directions

I was telling my husband the other day that with my recent posts (Old Town pics and our wine choices) that my blog looked like a "Wino Tour of Old Town" rather than a blog about mission work.

But, I don't find this inconsistent. After my last trip to Tanzania and before this last trip to South Africa, my prayer partner had put a challenge in my heart. She (not sure how intentional it was) had begun challenging me to think about working for God in other ways than just "in the field". Is a job at an NGO not still "mission" work she asked. Or rather, that is how I interpreted one of her questions. And, it was a good question.

During this last trip to South Africa, on the weekend when all the missionaries were to go to stay with host families, I found myself in South Africa drinking Pinotage and shopping at the mall. My host priest had become ill. While going up the escalator at the mall, I caught myself trying to figure out what God had in store for me. Shopping and drinking wine? Hmmmmmm.....

Well, I am open to finding out. So for now, probably more pictures of wine and Old Town than of African AIDS orphans. But, that is fine. My life is complex and that is, in my opinion, part of the journey.

Merry Christmas!

The ever vigilant hubby spotted this one at Whole Foods. Super nice! Well done Cholila Ranch!

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Friday, December 11, 2009

Thursday, December 10, 2009

One of Trader Joe's wines for the holidays. Exceptional wine for the price. Of course, after Russian River Valley, my next fav Cali appellation. Well done TJs!

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Kindness

I have been thinking about kindness a lot lately. Mainly because I have unfortunately - most recently - witnessed several mean/unkind acts. Even been the victim of one myself.

So, I did an internet search for images of the word "kindness". Of course, most came up with animals or children. And, I think that symbolizes kindness. Kindness is what we (well, some of us!) try to offer others and most importantly to those who are most vulnerable.

Today I will try and create kindness in myself and the world. :-)

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Snow...snow...snow!!!!

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Looking up!

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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Always amazed @ the beauty of DC!

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Some days he loves poising!

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Monday, November 23, 2009

Capitol Travel Medicine (CTM) Rocks!



OK, no alarm bells....but while at the AIDS Hospice I reached down to give Patience a hug and she decided to kiss me on the check. She is this beautiful 16 year old who has AIDS/TB and according to the nurses the TB has ravaged her body - but she's looking better than when she first arrived. She pretty much broke my heart. 16.....SIXTEEN!!!!!!!!!!!

Sooooo, I ere on the side of caution and call my CTM ~ the Nurse Practioner suggests I immediately go for a test. I have an appointment for next Monday. (I know I have provided CTM with much to talk about...."What will Amy come back with this time?")

I was talking about the clinic and Patience on the plane with one of the nice gentlemen from Houston who were on my return flight. He asked me if I knew she had TB when I went to hug her. I did. But I also know that she needed to have human contact. We all need love, especially Patience.

I'll let you know when my test comes back negative. Of course, I again left half my heart in South Africa....no cure for that.

Beautiful house for rent, furnished, less than an hour south of Charlottesville...on the James River!

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Ok...made the mistake of keeping her in the house too long...she's growing in me. But I don't NEED or want a fertility torso in my house!!!! ;-)

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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Home again, home again, jiggidy jig!

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Monday, November 16, 2009

After Hindu/Christian .... Can you see the ashes on my head?

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If not....try this one!

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Inter Faith worship this evening!

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Inter-faith Jesus...Meditate!

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Inter - faith Jesus ;-)

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